Mike Dallas.January 14, 2013 - Super Lightweight contender Mike Dallas Jr. (19-2-1, 8 KOs) is about to face the toughest challenge of his professional career when he steps in the ring with power puncher Lucas Matthysse (32-2, 20 KOs) on Saturday, Jan. 26. The 12-round championship bout will air live on SHOWTIME® CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and take place at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. On the line will be Lucas Matthysse's WBC Interim Super Lightweight World Championship

With less than two weeks left before his showdown with Matthysse, Mike Dallas Jr. talks about his training camp and how working with 2011 "Trainer of the Year" Virgil Hunter is benefiting his career.

"It's been a grueling training camp but one that has been very productive," said Dallas Jr. "Virgil and I are working hard on improving the things that I do well in the ring. One thing about Virgil that makes him a great trainer, he doesn't try to change my style, but adds on to the elements that I already bring to the table."

To combat Matthysse's pressure style, Mike knows he'll have to be in tremendous shape and have a strategic game plan to be victorious. He feels he has the tools to come out on top.

"Virgil is the master when it comes to game planning for a big fight," Dallas Jr. said. "We've studied his past fights and he's definitely got some flaws in his style. There are certain things a fighter must do when facing a pressure fighter and we've worked on everything to counter his attack.

"Right now Virgil has some of the best fighters in the world working out at his gym, and they're all giving me good work. I'm in the best shape of my life and that's why I took this fight on short notice. Matthysse has been beat before and I'm confident I can beat him as well."

After suffering the loss of his father in 2012, Mike has a new found motivation to excel.

"My father Mike Dallas Sr. was a professional fighter and he brought me up in the boxing world. I know he's watching over me right now and I'm going to leave everything in the ring on fight night. I'm going to shock the boxing world, bring home my first world title, as I dedicate this fight to my father."

The SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast begins live on SHOWTIME at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) with preliminary fights live on SHOWTIME EXTREME® beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets priced at $150, $100, $75, $50 and $25, plus applicable taxes, fees and services charges, along with a limited number of VIP suite seats priced at $125, go on sale on Friday, January 4 at noon PT and may be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000.